The Sandberg Watch Collection

Hotel Richemond, Geneva, Mar 31, 2001

LOT 264

The War of the Spanish SuccessionPainted enamel case Augsburg circa 1715, movement No. 2358 expressly made in 1789 by Ferdinand Berthoud, à Paris.Magnificent and extremely rare 20 ct. gold and enamel pair-cased watch.

CHF 40,000 - 50,000

USD 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 50,600

C. Outer: two-body, glazed back, double polished bezels. Inner: two-body, 'bassine' with curved band, the back very finely painted on enamel, with a scene glorifying the victory of the battle of Oudenaarde during the war for the Spanish Succession, in which Spanish and French forces fought the army of the Holy Roman Empire representing the Triple Alliance of Austria, England, and the United Provinces. The war was ended by the Treaties of Utrecht in 1713 and Rastatt in 1714. The band painted withcontinuous battle scenes superbly rendering the impetuosity and turmoil of the battle. The inside enamel depicts a triumphant Mars, god of War, with military trophies above him. D. White enamel, radial Roman hour chapter, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic numerals. Gold 'Louis XVI' hands. M. 37.8 mm o, hinged, gilt brass full plate, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain,cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, plain three-arm brass balance, single-footed gilded cock, wheel and click set-up, rack and pinion regulator with silver plate.Signed on the dial and the movement.Diam. 44 mm inner case, 51 mm with the outer. Published in the Sandberg book, pages 118-119.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3 - 6 - 21
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3 - 03

Notes

A detailed study of the Berthoud archives carried out by Jean-Claude Sabrie, reveal that the movement of this watch was especially made for a particular enamelled case, undoubtedly the current one. It was fitted by Moré, one of Berthoud's best workers, and sold to the provider of the case, Monsieur Muchain.'La Longitude en mer à l'heure de Louis Berthoud et Henri Motel' by Jean-Claude Sabrier, Geneva, Editions Antiquorum, 1993, p. 391.It was a common practice in the eighteenth century to replace the movement in a particularly expensive or beautiful watch case, in order to take advantage of technological advances in horology. Examples can be found in numerous museums and private collections.